Real Estate Today

Is it smarter to rent or buy in today's housing market? With home prices high, mortgage rates elevated, and affordability stretched, many consumers are wondering whether homeownership is still worth pursuing.

In this episode of Real Estate Today, we break down the real financial math behind renting vs. buying—and explore the creative strategies helping first-time buyers enter the market despite today's challenges.

Justin Cambra of eXp Realty shares how buyers are using "house hacking" strategies to offset mortgage payments and build wealth through real estate. Susan Isaak of Coldwell Banker Realty explains how first-time buyers can determine whether they're financially and emotionally ready to buy a home, along with the hidden costs of homeownership. Matt Schulz from LendingTree dives into the financial realities of buying a home today, including down payment assistance programs and FHA, VA and USDA loan options. Laurel Djoukeng, founder and CEO of KeyPath, explores how AI and fintech innovation could reshape the future of renting and ownership.

Whether you're a renter trying to buy your first home, a homeowner exploring investment strategies, or simply curious about where the housing market is headed, this episode offers practical insights and forward-looking ideas for navigating real estate in 2026.

Closing day is in sight—but getting there is where the real work begins. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what it takes to successfully navigate the final steps of selling a home and why having a trusted real estate professional can make all the difference in one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make.

Sarah Scattini, REALTOR® from Nevada, explains the most common issues that can derail a transaction and how sellers can avoid costly delays. Matt Cook with HomeTeam Inspection Services shares how new technology is giving buyers deeper insight into a home and helping them move forward with confidence. Home stager Cathy Hobbs highlights the biggest showing mistakes sellers should avoid, from managing pets to tackling cluttered spaces like garages. And Adam Brawer, a real estate agent in Santa Monica, joins us with eye-opening stories from the luxury market, including a buyer who received a $200,000 offer just to walk away from a deal.

If you are preparing to sell your home, this episode delivers expert insights to help you reach the closing table with confidence.

This week on Real Estate Today, we take a closer look at the latest real estate fraud trends, the red flags buyers and sellers cannot afford to miss, and how scammers are using new technology to target transactions. With 1 in 5 homeowners reporting they have received a fraudulent message before closing, understanding how these scams work has never been more important.

Hear from homeowner Raegan Bartlo, who shares her experience of losing a $255,000 down payment in a real estate wire fraud scam. Tom Cronkright, REALTOR® and founder of CertifID, explains how artificial intelligence is making these scams harder to detect and what steps consumers can take to stay protected. Levi Rodgers, REALTOR® from San Antonio, also joins us to break down five growing real estate scams to watch for and how he is helping keep his clients safe.

The spring housing market is here, and it's bringing new opportunities for buyers and sellers. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the latest housing market data, what to expect during this traditionally busy season, and how this year compares to past spring markets. Learn how buyers can navigate a shifting market, what they can do to put themselves in the best position to qualify for the lowest possible mortgage rate, and how strategies like using a tax refund could help boost buying power.

Guests include Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of REALTORS®; Todd Luong, REALTOR®; and Ashley Moore, community lending manager at Chase Home Lending.

Thinking about giving your home a fresh look? This week on Real Estate Today, we dive into the latest trends in home remodeling, simple DIY projects that can make a big impact, and strategies to boost your home's value. From easy upgrades to tips for tackling fixer-uppers without regret, this episode is packed with insights for homeowners and first-time buyers alike.

Guests include Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, real estate broker and residential designer; Michelle Doherty, REALTOR® from Virginia; Don Ruthroff, architect at Design Story Spaces; and Michael Silva-Nash, president of Molly Maid.

Can buyers still afford to move in today's housing market? On this week's episode of Real Estate Today, we explore mortgage rates, housing affordability and strategies buyers can use to make the numbers work without overextending. We also take a closer look at whether the long-standing 30% affordability rule still holds for today's homebuyers and how students at 20 universities are competing to tackle housing costs.

Guests include Mabel Guzman, REALTOR® from Chicago; Nadia Evangelou, principal economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of REALTORS®; and Bobby Vance, architect and assistant professor at Virginia Tech.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Jon Grishpul, co-founder of GreatBuildz, joins us to discuss ADUs and how they can improve affordability and multigenerational living.

With home prices high and inventory limited, getting your starter home right has never been more important. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore how the idea of the starter home is evolving and whether the traditional first home still exists or has simply been reimagined. Learn what today's buyers should prioritize in a shifting housing market, why a home's condition can make or break a deal when budgets are tight and which inspection red flags buyers simply cannot ignore.

Guests include Mike Bruce, real estate professional from Denver, Colorado; Matt Cook, director of operations at HomeTeam Inspection Service; and Korey Dropkin, a REALTOR® from Minnesota and silver medalist at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Jennifer Adams, home designer with Engel & Volkers, shares what's trending in home design.

House hunting starts online for most buyers, but what looks perfect on your screen may tell only part of the story. This week on Real Estate Today, we help buyers become smarter online shoppers by breaking down how to spot the difference between eye-catching listings and what really matters once you see a home in person. Learn how to avoid getting catfished by listing photos and what red flags to watch for.

Guests include Ryann Brier, REALTOR® from Michigan, who shares expert tips on what buyers should look out for when shopping for homes online; and real estate professional Scott Henderson, who explains how he creates catchy songs to creatively market listings.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, Krisztina Bell, founder of No Vacancy Home Staging in Atlanta, weighs in on selling a home by leaving rooms completely empty and the growing use of virtual home staging.

Buying a home today takes more than finding the right property. It also takes financial fitness. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down the true cost of homeownership, from hidden expenses buyers often overlook to the impact of soaring home insurance bills. Learn how much buyers really need to save, what down payments look like in today's market, and the smart ways buyers are getting creative to make homeownership possible.

Guests include Christopher Wands, REALTOR® with Douglas Elliman Real Estate; Shawn Yerkes, group president of financial services at Genstone Financial; and Julia Taliesin, data journalist at Insurify.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we look at what's trending in home design, including color capping, texture maxxing, tile drenching, cozy maxxing and loud luxury, along with design trends officially out this year, such as minimalism, modern farmhouse and dainty florals.

The hottest home trends for 2026 are coming into focus, and they could have a major impact on resale value. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what's driving tomorrow's design decisions and how homeowners can remodel with resale in mind. From trending colors and finishes to smart updates that appeal to buyers, real estate and design experts share practical advice to help homes stand out in a competitive market. We also explore insights from the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate report, along with the "HGTV effect" and how buyer expectations shaped by television can clash with real-life home tours.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment, we examine black window frames and matte black hardware.

Guests include Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate; Emily Kantz, color marketing manager for Sherwin-Williams; and Jennifer Bien, director of interior design at DAHLIN Architecture.